Rotatable broach holder



Aug. 14,1945. o. w. BONNAFE 2,381,998

ROTATABLE BROACH HOLDER Filed Dec. v7, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gm l v Aug. 14, 1945.

O. W. BONNAFE ROTATABLE BROACH HOLDER Filed Dec. 7. 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @Ziria/'25502221.72 S QLJMJQ y Aug.. 14, 1945. o. w. BONNAFE ROTATABLE BROACH HOLDER Filed DeG. 7, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 14, 1945.- o. w'. BONNAFE 2,381,998

ROTATA'BLE `BRO-ACH HOLDER Filed Deo. '7, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 14, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v I 2,331,998 ROTATABLE BROACH HOLDER Oliver W. Bonnafe, Hudson, Mass., tassigner to The'Lapointe Machine Tool Company, Hudson, Mass., a corporation of Maine Application December 7, 1942, ySerial No. 468,299-

1.4 Claims This invention relates toA horizontal breaching machines in which successive breach operations by a series of dilerent breaches are performed on each werk piece while in a single and central breaching position.

It is the general object of my invention to provide a breach holder for a pluralityfof breaches, rotatable about ahorizental axis and in which a plurality of longand heavy breaches may be conveniently stored and from' which they may be successively moved -to operative position.

Further features of the invention relate to means for firmly but slidably supporting each breach in the breach holder, for automatically indexing the holder, and for moving the breaches by power means into or out of the breach helder. I also provide a latch device to engage an operatively positioned breach and which isy moved to operative er inoperative position relative to the breach by utilizing a predetermined'and limited lost-motion in the actuatingmeans. i

My inventiony further relates to certain arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularl pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings,V in which Fig. 1 is a rear end elevation of my improved breach ho1der,'partly broken away and in section;

Fig. 2 is apartial sectional frontelevation of the breach helder" and 'certain associated parts; Fig. 3 vis a detail front elevation of a motor drive for the broachholder; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of a breach actuator, taken along the line 4 -4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of parts of an indexing mechanism, looking in' the direction of the arrow 5 in Fi'g. 2;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic and partial front' elevation, illustrating the travel of the breach relative te the iixed'frame andthe transversely mevable work support; 1 l

Fig. '7 is a sectional front elevationof l the breach actuator and certain associated'parts;

'Fig 8 is a view 'similar to` Fig-7 but showing certain parts in different operative relation;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation'ef a' latching plunger, looking in the direction' of the arrows in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a detail sectional plan'iview, taken along the line Ill-I0. in Fig. 7; 1

Figs. 1l, 12 `and 13` are diagrammatic views illustrating the transverse shifting of the Work tol breaching andclearance positions; and.

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram showing an electrical contro for the indexing mechanism.

Whilev capa le of other applications, my present invention was particularly designed for use in a horizontal pull-type breaching machine in which a large opening in aheavy casting er forging may be machined to nished size by pulling a series of large and heavy breaches successively through said opening to be breached.

My preferred work cycle for such a machine -is as follows:

Starting with the work in central or breaching position and with the No. 1 or active breach inserted through the opening in the Work and locked to the main ram, the breach is then pulled through the Werk in the usual way, preferably by hydraulic mechanism and until the rear end of the breach is clear of the werk.

The transversely movable Work support is then shifted to move the work to a side or clearance position, out of alignment with the active breach. The breach is then returned to the position Which it occupied when the breaching stroke was about tobegin. A broach actuator in the rotatable Work holder then engages the rear end of the No. 1 breach andl pulls the breach rearward along guideways in the breach holder until the forward end of the'broach clears the werk. The breach holder is then angularly advanced and indexed te bring the No, 2 breach in breaching position, after which the work is`returned to central pesition and the breach actuator pushes the No. 2 breach through the Work byv a reverse or forward movement. As this movement is completed, the breach engages and is locked in the main ram, after which the'cycle of operations is repeated.

The successive positions of the werk are indicated diagrammatic'auy in Figs. 11, 12 a 13. A` Work support 20 is mounted to slide tra sversely on the xed frame F (Fig. 6) of the machine and is provided with two work-holding stations T and TI. A piece of Work W is shown as secured in work station T in any convenient way. An opening tebe breached in its upper and wider portion is indicated'at 2|. l

I [n Fig: 11, the station T and werk W is in cen- -tral or breaching position and the opening 2| is in alignment with the main ram and Withthe active breach B.

In Fig. 12, the broachB has been pulled through the work W, the Work support 20 has been shifted to the left to remove the work W transversely frembroaching position te clearance position, and

the idle return movement of the No. 1 broach B is about to occur.

:in Fig. 13 the No. 1 breach B has been returned to the broach holder and the work W has been t returned tol broaching position and is ready to permit advance movement of the No. 2 broach lin Figs. 11 and 13 it will be IlOted that the Work station Tl is substantially removed transversely from the 'eld of active broaching operations, so

" through the opening 2| to engage the main ram.

` breaching of the Work W clamped in the work station T is taking place. 1After the Work W iny the station T has been finished', the support 2,0. is

` shifted further to the left to bring the new work piece in the station TI intobroaching)position.4

My present invention relates particularly to the rotatable broach holder in which the idle broaches are stored, to means for driving and indexing the 'work holder, and to` the broach actuator which hereinafter explained.

I have provided a broach actuator 6U (Figs. 2, 4 and 7) slidable on guideways 6| mounted on girts 62, the ends of which girts are secured to the fixed frame members F and Fl of the broaching machine. Friction bars `|53 (Figs. 2 and 4) are inserted at the sides of the actuator 60 and are yieldingly pressed against the guide-.bars 6| vby compression springs 64 and retaining screws 65e. The, purpose of the friction bars 63 will be At its upper end, the actuator BIJ has a rigid cross ange or lug 65 adapted to engage the rear end of Va broach B and to slide the broach forward along its guide-bars. 31 until its reduced forward end portion B6- extends through the work W and into engagement with the main ram.

slides the heavy broaches into and out of storage position in the broach holder. v

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2l Inyimproved broach holder comprises a pair of end. members 30. each provided with an external annular surface 3| supported on grooved rollers 32 and 3,3. The rolle 1 er 32 at the rear .or leftehand end of the breach holder (as viewed in Fig. 2) is powerfdriven in any convenient manneras by a motor M (Fig. 3)

through compound gearing 34. The roller 33 at the rear end is an idle roll, as are also the corres spending supporting rollers 32 and 33 at the front end. The rotatable work holder is thus supported entirely 011 the external, bearing surfaces 3| and is frictionally driven by therear roller 32, so that 1 the work holder may stop without; damage. if its i rotation is in any way interrupted. 1

The annular end members 3U. are provided with spaced and outwardly projecting nortions 3.5,w1nieh are connected by rigid longitudinal frame mem- `ners or eirts 3.6, each of which. supports guldebars/ 31- (Fig. 1v) at its lopposite Sides.. Ijhese guide.-v bars cooperate in pairs to receive and slidably support theIV breaches 1 3,A as,y clearly Shown in Fig. 1. The breaches B- are, recessed as indicated at 4.0 Ito` receive the guide-.bars 3 1 and each broach is thus firmly but slidably supported the rotatable worls: holder. This firm supportof the breaches is Very important, as these broacnes are. of large crosssection and. veryconsiderable length and may each weigh several hundred pounds,-

The. rear annular endmember 3.0 (Fig. 2). is `provided with a spaced series of hardened, bush.- ings 4Z, each having a cone-shaped hole 43. :The `bushings 42 are accurately spaced to correspond with the spacing of the outwardly. projecting end portions 3,5 and of the stored broachesI l An index plunger 4.4.,(Figs. 2. and 5),. is sli'dably mounted in a iixed frame memberl. and the tapered end of the plunger 44 ls vieldingly pressed toward locking position by a relatively heavy spring 45.. nt its outer. end., the plunder 44 is `connected to a lever 46 mounted on a fixed pivot 41 and connected at its oppositeend by a link-48 `to the plunger 49 of a solenoid coil 50.

l When the solenoid coil is energized', the plunger 49 is drawn into the coil 5B and the locking plunger 44 is moved outward to release the Work holder. When the solenoid circuitr is broken, the spring 4,5 returns the plunger 44 to locking position'. The electrical control of thel motor M and solenoid 5U willv be hereinafter described. A n auxiliary spring a may be provided for the lever- 46.

A latching plunger '|0 is vertically slidable in an opening inV the actuator 60, and is provided at its upper end with a cross flange '|2 adapted to enter a notch 14 in the under side of the rear end of the broach B. The latching plunger 10 is slabbed off as indicated at 1'6 in its lower partto enter a longitudinal slot or opening 'Isin a cylindrical member which is, freely sldable in a corresponding openingl (Fig.x7)l inthe actu-.- ator 6|).

The plunger-110 also has a cross-.pin 83, the ends of which project outward through inclined cam slots 84 in the Side walls, of the member 80.1 Flanges 85 and 86 limit 'the sliding movement of the member BIJ` relative to the actuator 6,0.

When the member 8.0 is moved to .the position shown in Fig. 7, the cam slot-S34 enact with the cross pin 8.3150 raise the plunger 'l0 and .cross par l2 to opi-erative engagement witli the noten in the broach B. Further rearward movement of the actuator |50A to the'left in Fig. "7, will then cause the vlatch bar 'l2 to` effect ay return'movement of the broach B.

Movement ofr the member 8|! to the position shown in Fig. il will fully depress the plunger 10 and latch 12, 4so that the breach 1.3 may bev free for continued forward and operative movement by the main ram, after it has been inovediinto engagement therewith byy the rigid cross flange The member 80 is integral with orv secured to' a carrier (Fig. 2).. slidable on the iixed; guidebars 6 l. previously described and having; a depending arm 9| to which the free end of a piston -rod Q2: is secured. At its otnerl end, the rod 92 is, provided' with a pistonl 93 slidable ina fixed cylinder 94. Suitable provisionis'made for selective admission of oil undenpressure at the opposite endsofthe cylinder 94.

When the piston rod 92:, carrier 90 and member 8,0 are moved rearward or toi the left in Fig.2, the member 8U first moves to the position shown in Fig. 7 relative to the actuator 6.0,.thus raising the latch bar 12 to operative position. Continued movement of the piston 93 to the left draws the previously operative'broach B; into its guideway in the broa'ch holder. f

The friction bars 63 in the actuator 60 by engagementv with the fixed guide-.bars 6| insure the lost-motion shift ofthe member 80 relative to the actuator before actual movement of the actuator in eitherdirection begins.

It will be noted that the. cross ange 65 and the latch bar 12 both engage the breaches B in such manner that thereis no interferencewith circumferential' movement 'of the broaches with the broach holder. f

.Theautomatic indexing ofthe wor-k holder will nowbe explained, withparticular'reference to Fi'g.14...

The'line wires-for the motorM which drives the rear roller 32 and rotates the broach holder are indicated at L and Ll, and the motor may be controlled by a double pole switch Si The line wires vfor the solenoidfcoil 50.are indicated at L2 and L3, andthe solenoid niayfbe` energized by manualclosing of a normally open double pole switchSl."l

'The motor switch S is connected by a rodi-00 to the lever 46 which actuates the locking plunger 44. -A double` pole holding-switch S2 is provided in a by-p'ass connection around the hande'operated and normally open switch SI. The switchY S2 is connected by a rod to thelever 46. i

A pairro'i contacts |02 and |03 are placed in one wire of* the 4holding circuit which is con- 4trolledby the switch S2; The Contact |02 is movably `mounted on a bell crank |04 and Ais normally held against the contact |03 by a spring A cam lug |06 is provided on the annular end member 30 for each ybroach-holding position,

When any one of these cam lugs engages the inclined end |01 of the bell crank |04, the bell crank is moved to separate the contacts |02 and |03., thus ,breaking the holding circuit of the solenoid 50;

The manner in which my improved'indexing mechanismoperates is as follows:

Assuming that a broach has completed its cut and has been returned to the broach holder and lthat it is vdesired toindex the broach holder, the

Ahand switch S| ismomentarily closed by the operator. This `completesa circuit through the solenoid 50, drawing the plunger 49 into the solenoid coil and moving the locking plunger 44 out of locking position. The same movement of the solenoid plunger 49 and lever 46 closes the motor switch S and starts the `motor M to angularly advance the rotatable work holder. The lever 46 also closes the holding switch S2 which by-'passes the switch SI,A so that the motor M will continue to operate after the hand switch SI has been i released.

Rotation of Lthe broach holder then' continues until one of the cam lugs |06 on the end member 30 engages the bell crank |04 and separates the contacts |02 and -|03, thus breaking the holding circuit of the solenoid rcoil 50 and releasing thel solenoid plunger 49, lever 46 and locking plunger 44. Y

The lugs |06 are so located that this release of the plunger. ltakes place slightly before the corresponding index bushing 424v reaches index position. The inertia of the parts, however, is sulncient to advance the work holder far enough to bring the coacting bushing 42 in` alignment with the plunger 44, even if the `motor'switch S has been opened on release of the solenoid plunger 49.

' The camclugs |06 are of such circumferential extent that Vthe bell crank |04 will be released and the contacts |02 and |03will be reengag'ed as the broach holder comes to index position or immediately after the next indexing movement is started. i

VIt will thus appear that by momentarily closing the switch SI,- a complete and automatic indexing cycle is initiated lwhich advances the work holder one broach position and which accurately indexesand locks the'broach holder in its new position.

Limited lost motion maybe :provided between .the lever 46 land the plunger 44 toA permitthe switch S which controls the motor M tobe opened,'slightly before the plunger 44 enters the next index hole 43.l For this purpose a slot 44a'is formed in the plunger 44 (Fig. 5); l f

After the indexing'movement of the holder has been completed to bring the next broach to 'broaching position, pressure is admitted tothe left endof the cylinder' 94 to'move 4the piston rod 92 `and actuator 60'to the right and vto advance the 'fresh broach to' engage the main ramV and to be locked thereto. 'The broach is then pulled to the right by the ram for a breaching stroke and is thereafter returnedto the left, but with the work in non-broaching position.

Reversal of pressure in the cylinder 94 then moves the piston rod 92 to the left. Lost motion between the cylindrical member and the actuator 60 causes the latch 'l2 to be raised before the return stroke of the actuator begins. Movement of the actuator to the left thencauses thellatch to draw theused broach into the rotatable holder. The work is then returned to broaching position and the broach holder is indexed to advance the next broach to broaching position.Y

I am thus able to'perforrh 'a series of broaching operations `on a Work piece by successive 'use of a Vplurality of very heavy broaches, without requiring any manualhandling` of the broaches at any time in the operation -of the machine. Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof,` I do not wish'to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In abroaching machine, a broachh'older mounted to rotate about a horizontal longitudinal axis of said machine, a plurality of angularly spaced guideways in said holder for a plurality of elongated broaches, power means to slide 4a broach into and out of any one of said guideways, means to lock said .holder'in successive broach'- delivery positions, vpower means to advance said holder angularlyfto successive delivery positions, control devices effective to successively unlock said holder and start said power means, and au tomatic means to release said locking meansand 'to cut off said power means when a predetermined angular advance o f said holder is substantially accomplished.

2.*Ina broaching` machine, a broach holder mounted to rotate about aj horizontal longitudinal axis of. said'machine, a"plurality' ofangularly spaced guideways in said holder for a plurality of elongated broaches, power means toslide'a broach into and out of any one of Vsaid guideways, means to lock-said' holder in successivev broachdelivery positions, 'power means to advance-'said holder angularly to rsuccessive delivery-positions;

control devices" elective to successively 'unlock said holder and start said power means, andau'- spaced guideways in said holder for a plurality of"elongatedbroaches, Vpower means to slid'e a broach into and out of any 'one'of said guideways, means to lockfsaid holder in successive'broach! delivery positions,` powerl'means to 'advancel'sid holder'angularly to successive delivery positions,

control devices effective -to successively unlock said holder and start said power means, means to thereafter hold said power means in operation, and automatic means to release said lockingmeans and to cut off4 said'power means when a-` predetermined angular advance of said holder `been substantially accomplished. 4. I-n a breaching machine, a broach holder mounted to rotate about a horizontal longitudinal axis of said machine, a plurality of angularly spaced guideways in said holder for a plurality of .elongated breaches, power means to slide, a broach into and out of any one of said guideways,

holder angularly, control devices eiective to successively withdraw said plunger and start said power means,fmeans to thereafter hold said power means in operation, and automatic means to open vsaid solenoid circuit 'as the indexing move ment is substantially accomplished, and theinrelease said plunger and said power means when i apredetermined angular advance of said holder is substantially accomplished.

rv5..-Ir1 a broachingimachine, a broach holder axis' ofA said machine, a plurality of angularly spacedv broach guideways in'said holder for a plurality of elongated broaches, power means to mounted to rotate about a horizontal longitudinal slide a-broach into and out of any one of said guideways, said holder having spaced index holes at one vend thereof, a locking plunger normally seated' in one of said vholes when a broach in i saidV holder is` in a delivery position, powermeans tondi/'ance said holder angularly, control devices effective to successively withdraw said plunger and start said power means, means to' thereafter hold said power means in operation,

and automatic means'to release said plunger and i said power means when a predetermined angular n advance of said holder is substantially accomplished, and said holder continuing to advance holder.l

` by the inertia thereof until said released plunger enters the next index hole at the end of said 6. In abroaching machine, a broach holder mounted to rotate about a horizontal longitudinal axis of said machine, a plurality of angularly spaced guideways in said holder for a pluralways, said holder having spaced index holes at one end thereof, a locking plunger normally seat- '7.1 In a'broaching machine, a broach holder mounted .to rotate about a horizontal longitudivnalaxis of said machine, a plurality of `angularly yspaced guideways in said holder for a plu-` rality' of elongated broaches, power means to 1 slide a'broach into'and out of any one of said Vguideways, power means to index said holder, a

locking plunger for said holder, a solenoid" to withdraw saidplunger, a hand switch effective to close the solenoid circuit and to thereby withdraw lsaid plunger and start said power means, automatic means to hold saidsolenoidl circuit closed, and. a device on said holder effective to 5U ity of elongated broaches, power means to slide a broach into and out of any one of said guidedexinglmovement of said holder being fullyr completed by the inertia `of said holder after the solenoid circuit is thus opened;rv I 8. Ina broaching machine, an openannular broach holder mounted tof rotate about va hori- :ontal longitudinal axisof said machine, excernal vmeans to support said holder, means to support a plurality of elongated broaches in an- ,gularly spaced relation in said holder, a'hydraulic cylinder. fixed within said annularf holder, fixed guideways adjacent said cylinder, an actuator slidable 'in said guideways, and effective to engage and'move a broach out of and'into said holder when said broach is in delivery position,V a pistoniny saidcylinder, and an operative connection between said piston and said actuator.

9. In a broaching machine, an open annular broach holder mounted to rotate aboutia horizontal longitudinal axisof said machine, exter nal means to support said holder, means to support a" plurality of elongated 'broaches in angularly spaced relation. in said holder, power means to intermittently advance vsaid holder angularly to bring successive broaches in rbroach-delivery position, and hydraulic broach-sliding means 'mounted within said annular holder but vseparate therefrom and automatically engageable with any broach in `delivery position. i j

10. In a breaching machine, an open annular broach `holder mounted to rotate about a horizontal longitudinal axis of said`machine,exter nal means to support said holdenvmeans to support a plurality 'of elongatedbroaches in angu- V larly spaced relation in said holder, a hydraulic cylinder fixed within said annular holder, fixed guidewaysl adjacent .said cylinder, an actuator slidable in said guideways, an `abutment on said actuator effective to engage and push a broach out of the holder, a'latch in said actuator en gageable in a notch in the broach to draw a broach into said holder, a piston in said cylinder, and a; lost-motion connection between said pis-i ton `and said actuator, vthe lost-motion in said connection rendering said latch alternately operative and inoperative before the actuator is moved and as the movement of the piston is alternately reversed.

11'. In a horizontal broaching machine, a broach holder, means to slidably support an elongated broach in said holder, an actuator, a plunger effective to move said actuator along a path parallelV to 'said broach-supporting means and having a lost motion. connection thereto, said broach'having a notch in a non-cutting face thereof, a latch onsaid actuator, and means to raise said latch into said notch during lost motion between vthe plunger and actuator and before the actuator lis moved to draw the broach into the broach holder. .Y f

12. In a horizontal broaching machine,` 'a broach holder, means to slidablyv support an elongated broach in said holder, an actuator, a plunger'eifective to move said actuator along a path parallel to saidfbroachsupporting means and having a lost motion connection thereto, said broach having a notchl in anon-cutting face thereof and near one end' thereof, a latch on said actuator, and a connection between said latch and said actuator operative byv 'cam action during lost motion between the plunger and' actuator to raise the latch' into thenotch in Athe broach before the actuator is moved to draw the broach into the holder. k

13. In a horizontal broaching machine, a broach holder, means to slidably support an elongated broach in said holder, an actuator, means to move said actuator along a path parallel to said broach-supporting means, said broach having a notch in a non-cutting face thereof and near one end thereof, a latch on said actuator, a support for said latch slidable vertically in said actuator, operating means for said actuator slidable horizontally in said actuator and having limited lost motion relative thereto, and a cam connection between said operating means and said latch support eiective to raise the latch into the notch in the broach during such limited lost motion between the operating means and the actuator and before the actuator is moved to draw the broach into the holder.

14. In a broaching machine, an open annular broach holder mounted to rotate about a horizontal longitudinal axis of said machine, means to support a plurality of elongated broaches in angularly spaced relation in said holder, rollers unand broach-sliding 

